Wondering if you can vape after a tooth extraction? It’s tempting to start vaping soon after getting a tooth extracted. After all, you might be in some discomfort, and nicotine can calm and relax you. However, doing so increases your risk of painful complications like dry socket.
Tooth extraction is a necessary procedure when a tooth is too damaged or problematic to save through other treatments. Common reasons for an extraction include severe tooth decay or infection, advanced gum disease, impacted teeth, overcrowding, or fractured/broken teeth.
You should never vape immediately after a tooth extraction, including wisdom teeth removal. Your gums need time to heal and seal over the wound properly.
Can You Vape After a Tooth Extraction?
No – never vape immediately following tooth extraction.
Your body has just undergone a major procedure. Removing a tooth exposes the underlying bone and nerves to the open air. Usually, a small blood clot forms, acting as a protective barrier against the air. If this blood clot becomes dislodged or damaged, it can lead to dry socket – an extremely painful condition.
Vaping, alongside any form of smoking, creates a suction force. When you inhale from a vape, you can dislodge the clot, exposing the sensitive gum. Nicotine is also a vasoconstrictor, reducing blood flow in your mouth. This limits the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your gums, slowing healing, increasing blood pressure, and delaying your recovery.
How Long Should You Wait to Vape After a Tooth Extraction?
Most dentists recommend waiting at least 72 hours before vaping after a tooth extraction.
The initial three days are crucial for the healing process. Your gums are adjusting to the absence of a tooth. Underneath the clot, the extraction socket is gradually being filled with new tissue. This is especially important for wisdom teeth, which leave larger wounds that need time to close.
Any setback in these early stages can prolong the healing process – and increase the risk of complications. Therefore, the longer you can wait, the better the outcomes.
While 72 hours is the standard recommendation, if you hold off for up to a week, the results are even better. That gives your body a chance to perform most of the healing without restricting blood flow or dislodging the clot.
Risks of Vaping After a Tooth Extraction
Dry Socket
Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a healing complication that occurs after tooth extraction. It’s the most common complication in a wisdom tooth removal.
Usually, it occurs when the clot covering the extraction site becomes dislodged. The symptoms begin one to three days after the tooth is pulled. These include:
· Intense pain within the first few days after the extraction
· Pain spreading from the extraction site to your ear, eye, or neck
· An empty socket where the blood clot should be
· Unpleasant taste in the mouth
· Persistent bad breath
· Mild fever
People often underestimate how painful dry socket can be. It’s a continuous deep ache that doesn’t respond to conventional painkillers. However, it’s not severe long-term and will disappear on its own.
Approximately 1-5% of all extractions involve dry socket, rising to 38% of wisdom tooth extractions. It can take a week or more to heal.
Infection
Infection is the worst complication of a tooth extraction. It occurs when bacteria enter the vulnerable tooth socket and begin to multiply. The site may swell due to inflammation and pus accumulation. If left untreated, the infection will spread to adjacent teeth and, in the worst cases, into the jaw.
Vaping and smoking exacerbate the infection. Restricted blood flow due to nicotine prevents white blood cells from reaching the site and fighting the infection. This delays healing, allows bacteria to thrive, and increases the risk of more serious complications like abscesses or systemic infection.
Slow Healing
Restricting blood flow doesn’t just increase the risk of infection – it slows down the healing process. But vapes contain more than nicotine. Other ingredients in e-liquids cause irritation and inflammation, preventing a healthy, natural recovery. It can even exacerbate the pain.
Your body will require more oxygen and nutrients to combat the inflammation. However, the blood vessel constriction prevents this from happening.
The result? Your recovery can take weeks when it should be over in a matter of days.
Alternatives to Vaping After a Tooth Extraction
Ideally, you’d abstain from all nicotine products when healing from a tooth extraction. After all, nicotine in your bloodstream will still cause problems.
That being said, it’s better to opt for options that don’t involve any oral intake. You want to avoid irritating the wound, preventing infection and promoting healing.
Popular alternatives include:
· Nicotine patches. Apply the patch as you normally would. It’s not ideal, but many dentists and oral surgeons recommend it as a safer alternative to vaping. It’s still smart to wait 48 hours, so that the blood clot can form.
· Nicotine Gum. Chewing nicotine gum is a less risky alternative. It may still irritate the wound and slow the healing process, but it eliminates the suction problem of vaping.
Final Thoughts
According to best practices, you should wait at least 72 hours before vaping after a tooth extraction. Leaving up to a week guarantees the best results. Vaping can cause dry socket, infections, and prolong the healing process.
When you resume vaping, take it easy. Don’t start overdoing it – your mouth is still healing. Remember to keep your mouth clean, rinsing with medicated mouthwash or saltwater. If you notice any signs of infection or unusual pain, contact your dentist right away. Prioritising healing now can help you avoid more serious complications later on.
